VR38DETT Powered Dacia Duster

Most of us here in the US have no idea what a Dacia Duster is. A cleaning tool, vacuum maybe? Dacia is a Romanian automaker, and the Dacia Duster is also known as the Renault Duster. Renault and Nissan are together, so in some crazy mashup, a VR38DETT, Nissan GT-R engine has found its way midships into this Dacia Duster. The Duster is based on the Nissan B platform, or the base for the Nissan Cube, Nissan March, Renault Clio III, and even the Nissan Juke.

This 850 hp, sequential transmissioned version is coming to the US for the 89th Pikes Peak Hill Climb on June 26th. Dacia, the VR38, and driver Jean-Philippe Dayraut are taking on the Unlimited Class. Below are a couple of quick videos of the car. The car sounds interesting. Almost like it’s a stroker, maybe has an odd setup for exhaust/exhaust manifolds. It doesn’t sound a lot like a GT-R. Have to check out the race to see how it does.